Mixture and compounds from mycelia of Antrodia camphorata and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a compound derived from mycelium of  Antrodia camphorata . The present invention also relates to the composition or mycelium comprising the compounds of the invention. The composition of the invention decreases systolic blood pressure and increases high density lipoprotein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continue-in-part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/840,655, filed Jul. 21, 2010, which is a Continue-in-part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/078,985, filed Apr. 9, 2008, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/312,480, filed Dec. 21, 2005, which is currently pending, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/793,820, filed Mar. 8, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,232, issued Sep. 19, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Although incorporated by reference in its entirety, no arguments or disclaimers made in the parent application apply to this Continuation-in-part application. Any disclaimer that may have occurred during the prosecution of the above-referenced application(s) is hereby expressly rescinded. Consequently, the Patent Office is asked to review the new set of claims in view of the entire prior art of record and any search that the Office deems appropriate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel mixture and compounds from mycelium of Antrodia camphorata and the use thereof. The present invention relates to the composition or mycelium comprising the compounds of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The fruiting body of Antrodia camphorata (Polyporaceae, Aphyllophorales) is well known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicine. It grows only on the inner heartwood wall of the endemic evergreen Cinnamomun kanehirai (Hay) (Lauraceae) in Taiwan. It is rare and has not been cultivated. The fruiting bodies have been used for treating of food and drug intoxication, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypertension, itchy skin, and liver cancer. Very few biological activity studies have been reported hitherto.

Antrodia camphorata also known as “niu-chang-chih” or “niu-chang-ku” in Taiwan, was recently reported as a new fungus species characterized by the cylindrical shape of its basidiospores appearing in fruiting bodies, weakly amyloid skeletal hyphae, bitter taste and light cinnamon resupinate to pileate basidiocarps, as well as chlamydospores and anthroconidia in pure culture. The growth of this new fungus species is extremely slow and restricted to an endemic tree species, Cinnamomum kanehirai Hay (Lauraceae), as the only host. The detailed characterization and taxonomic position of Antrodia camphorata were described in Wu, S.-H., et al., Antrodia cinnamomea (“niu-chang-chih”), New combination of a medicinal fungus in Taiwan, Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 38: 273-275 (1997).

In Taiwanese folk medicine, the fruiting bodies of Antrodia camphorata are believed to have certain medical effects. According to the traditional way, the fruiting bodies are ground into dry powder or stewed with other herbal drugs for oral uptake to treat conditions caused by poisoning, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypertension, skin itches and liver cancer. However, little pharmacological or clinical study in these aspects has appeared in literature to date. Because of the stringent host specificity and rarity in nature, as well as the failure of artificial cultivation, “niu-chang-chih” is very expensive in Taiwan. In recent years, the fruiting bodies of this fungus with high quality have been sold at an extremely high price of around U.S. $ 15,000 per kg.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide novel mixture from mycelium of Antrodia camphorata.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel compounds from mycelium of Antrodia camphorata.

Further object of the present invention is to provide novel composition comprising the compounds of the invention.

Further object of the present invention is to provide novel mycelium of Antrodia camphorata comprising the compounds of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows HMBC correlations of compound 2.

FIG. 2 shows the compounds of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows NOE (nuclear Overhauser effect) correlations of compounds 4 and 5 of the invention.

FIGS. 4A-D shows test results of compound 3 of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-C shows test results of ACM (Antrodia camphorata mycelia powder) H₂O Extract.

FIGS. 6A-F shows test results of ACM EtOH (ethyl alcohol) Extract.

FIGS. 7A-E shows test results of compound 1 of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compound having the formula

wherein R₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyloxy, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyloxy, or C₂₋₁₀ alkynyloxy; and R₂ is H, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl or C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, provided that if R₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyloxy, R₂ is not H, and if R₁ is C₁ alkyloxy, R₂ is not C₁ alkyl.

In the compound of the invention, the preferred R₁ is C₂₋₆ alkenyloxy, or C₂₋₆ alkynyloxy; the more preferred R₁ is C₂₋₆ alkenyloxy substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl and the most preferred R₁ is butenyloxy substituted with methyl. In the compound of the invention, the preferred R₂ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, the most preferred R₂ is isobutyl.

Accordingly, the preferred compound of the invention is

-   3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]furan-2,5-dione, -   3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-2,5-dione, -   3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-ol-2,5-dione, -   3R*,4S*-1-hydroxy-3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]pyrrolidine-2,5-dione,     or -   3R*,4R*-1-hydroxy-3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]pyrrolidine-2,5-dione.

The further preferred compound of the invention is

-   3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-2,5-dione     or -   3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-ol-2,5-dione.

The further preferred compound of the invention is

-   3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-ol-2,5-dione.

The present invention also provides a mixture from mycelium of Antrodia camphorata, which comprises the compound of the invention. The mixture of the invention is prepared from water or organic solvent extract of mycelium of Antrodia camphorata. The organic solvent includes but is not limited to alcohol (such as CH₃OH, C₂H₅OH, C₃H₇OH), ester (such as acetyl acetate), alkane (such as hexane) and halogenated alkane (such as CH₃Cl, C₂H₂Cl₂). The preferred organic solvent is ethanol or alcoholic solvent without causing any side effect of human. The mixture of the invention can decrease systolic blood pressure or increase high density lipoprotein. In addition, the same mixture has central cholinergic agonism, hepatoprotection, anti-inflammation or anti-tumor activity. Especially, the mixture of the invention can inhibit tumor from the cells or tissues selected from the group consisting of liver, intestine, bone, blood, lymph and breast. The subject accepting the mixture of the invention includes but is not limited to human, mammal, mouse, rat, horse, pig, chicken, duck, dog and cat.

The present invention also provides a composition, which comprises the compound of the invention. The composition of the invention can decrease systolic blood pressure or increase high density lipoprotein. In addition, the composition of the invention has central cholinergic agonism, hepatoprotection, anti-inflammation or anti-tumor activity. Especially, the composition of the invention can inhibit tumor from the cells or tissues selected from the group consisting of liver, intestine, bone, blood, lymph and breast. The subject accepting the composition of the invention includes but is not limited to human, mammal, mouse, rat, horse, pig, chicken, duck, dog and cat.

The present invention also provides novel mycelium of Antrodia comprising the compounds of the invention. The preferred mycelium has at least 1% of the weight of raw mycelium being the total weight of the compounds 1-5 of the invention. The most preferred mycelium has at least 3% of the weight of raw mycelium being the total weight of the compounds 1-5 of the invention. The mycelium of Antrodia camphorata is previously prepared according to submerged liquid fermentation such as T. L. M. Stamford et al., Food Science “Protein enrichment of cashew wastes for animal feeds” from http://www.unu.edu/unupress/food/8F101e/8F101E0b.htm.

Example

The examples below are non-limiting and are merely representative of various aspects and features of the present invention.

General Experimental Procedures

Melting points were measured on a Yanagimoto micro hot-stage melting point apparatus and uncorrected. Optical rotations were measured with a Jasco DIP-360 automatic polarimeter. UV spectra were measured with a Shimadzu UV-2200 recording spectrophotometer. IR spectra were measured with a Jasco FT/IR-230 infrared spectrometer. ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectrum were measured with a Varian Unity Plus 500 spectrometer. EIMS and HR-EIMS were measured with a Jeol JMS-AX 505 HAD mass spectrometer at an ionization voltage of 70 eV. Column chromatography was carried out on silica gel BW-820 MH (normal phase) and Chromatorex-ODS DM1020T (reversed phase) (Fuji Silysia).

Extraction and Isolation

Antrodia camphorata mycelia powder (ACM) (60 g), from Simpson Biotech Co. Ltd., Taiwan, October 2001, were three times extracted with CHCl₃ for 3 h under reflux. The CHCl₃ extract (5.3 g) was chromatographed on silica gel eluted with n-hexane-acetone (19:1-14:6), and CHCl₃-MeOH (1:1) to give nine fractions (Fr. 1-9). Fraction 2 was chromatographed on silica gel to give compound 1 (8.7 mg). Fraction 4 was chromatographed on normal and reversed phase silica gel to give compound 2 (13.6 mg). Fraction 5 was chromatographed on silica gel eluted with n-hexane-acetone (8:2) to give ergosterol peroxide (35.8 mg). Fraction 6 gave compound 3 (14.6 mg) by combination of normal and reversed phase silica gel column chromatography. Fraction 7 yielded a mixture of compounds 4 and 5 (4:1) by column chromatography. The mixture of compounds 4 and 5 were subsequently separated by preparative HPLC [column: Tosoh TSK-gel ODS-80™ (21.5.times.300 mm), mobile phase: CH₃ OH—H₂O containing 0.1% TFA (70:30)].

3-Isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]furan-2,5-dione (compound 1): yellow oil; UV (MeOH) λ_(max) (log ε) 227 (4.1), 258 (3.9), 275 (3.8), 355 (3.4) nm; IR (CHCl₃) ν_(max) 1763 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR TABLE 1; ¹³C-NMR TABLE 2; EIMS m/z 314 [M]⁺ (100), 246 (100), 131 (100); HR-EIMS m/z 314.1523 (Calcd for C₁₉H₂₂O₄, 314.1518).

3-Isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (2): yellow needles (n-hexane-AcOEt); mp 110-111° C.; UV (MeOH) λ_(max) (log ε) 230 (4.3), 272 (3.5), 355 (3.7) nm; IR (CHCl₃) ν_(max) 1724 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR TABLE 1; ¹³C-NMR TABLE 2; EIMS m/z 313 [M]⁺ (8), 245 (100), 203 (77), 131 (28); HR-EIMS m/z 313.1681 (Calcd for C₁₉H₂₃NO₃, 313.1678).

X-ray Crystallography of Compound 2:

Yellow needles were obtained by crystallization from n-hexane-AcOEt and selected for data collection. Crystal data: C₁₉H₂₃ NO₃; M_(r)=313.40; dimensions 0.15×0.02×0.02 mm; triclinic, space group P1 (#2), a=6.3505 (5) Å, b=12.205 (1) Å, c=12.560 (2) Å, α=64.623 (7)°, β=75.358 (4)°, γ=84.681 (5)°, V=850.9 (2) Å³, Z=2, D_(calc)=1.223 g/cm³, μ(MoKα)=0.82 cm⁻¹, F₀₀₀=336.00. Measurement was made on a Rigaku RAXIS-RAPID Imaging Plate diffractometer with graphite monochromated Mo—Kα (λ=0.71069 A) radiation at 93 K. Of the 8950 reflections which were collected, 4745 were unique (R_(int)=0.108); equivalent reflections were merged. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods (SHELXS86) and refined by full-matrix least-squares. The non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically. Hydrogen atoms were included but not refined. The final indices were R=0.074, R_(w)=0.099, with GOF (Guest Observer Facility)=1.06. The maximum and minimum peaks on the final difference Fourier map corresponded to 0.83 and −0.89 e⁻/Å³, respectively.

3-Isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-ol-2,5-dione (Compound 3): yellow oil; UV (MeOH) λ_(max) (log ε): 232.5 (4.3), 296 (3.7), 374 (3.7) nm; IR (CHCl₃) ν_(max) 1717 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR TABLE 1; ¹³C-NMR TABLE 2; EIMS m/z 329 [M]⁺ (12), 261 (100), 131 (50); HR-EIMS m/z: 329.1637 (Calcd for C₁₉H₂₃NO₄, 329.1627).

3R*,4S*-1-Hydroxy-3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (4): colorless oil; [α]_(D) ²³+2.5° (c 0.2, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_(max) (log ε): 225 (4.3), 275 (3.3), 283 (3.2) nm; IR (CHCl₃) ν_(max) 1715 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR TABLE 1; ¹³C-NMR TABLE 2; EIMS m/z 331 [M]⁺ (2), 263 (67), 207 (66), 191 (30), 179 (40), 133 (64), 69 (100); HR-EIMS m/z 331.1747 (Calcd for C₁₉H₂₅NO₄, 331.1783).

3R*,4R*-1-Hydroxy-3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (5): colorless oil; [α]_(D) ²³+3.0° (c 0.2, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_(max) (log ε): 227 (4.3), 275 (3.4), 283 (3.3) nm; IR(CHCl₃) ν_(max) 1715 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR TABLE 1; ¹³C-NMR TABLE 2; EIMS m/z 331 [M]⁺ (1), 263 (45), 207 (50), 191 (75), 179 (30), 133 (100), 69 (92); HR-EIMS m/z 331.1766 (Calcd for C₁₉H₂₅NO₄, 331.1783).

Ergosterol peroxide: colorless needles (n-hexane-acetone); mp 165-169° C. (lit² mp 171-174° C.).

Cytotoxic Assays. The in vitro LLC tumor cell assay was carried out by sulforhodamin B (SRB) method. The 50% growth inhibition (ED₅₀) was calculated by Probit method.

Results and Discussion

The CHCl₃ extract of the mycelium of Antrodia camphorata was repeatedly chromatographed on normal and reversed phase silica gel to afford five new maleic and succinic acid derivatives (compounds 1-5) together with ergosterol peroxide.

TABLE 1 ¹H-NMR Spectral Data of Compounds 1-5 (δ ppm, J = Hz) (500 MHz, CDCl₃) H 1 2 3 4 5 3 — — — 2.87 (1H, m) 3.08 (1H, m) 4 — — — 3.52 (1H, d, 4.07 (1H, d, J = 4.0) J = 8.0) 1′ 2.59 (2H, d, 2.51 (2H, d, 2.50 (2H, d, 1.51 (1H, m) 1.02 (1H, m) J = 7.0) J = 7.0) J = 7.0) 1.72~1.84 (1H) 1.42~1.48 (1H) 2′ 2.12 (1H, 2.06 (1H, 2.05 (1H, 1.72~1.84 (1H) 1.42~1.48 (1H) sep, J = 7.0) sep, J = 7.0) sep, J = 7.0) 3′ 0.94 (6H, d, 0.90 (6H, d, 0.88 (6H, d, 0.70 (3H, d, 0.66 (3H, d, J = 7.0) J = 7.0) J = 7.0) J = 6.5) J = 6.5) 4′ 0.89 (3H, d, 0.80 (3H, d, J = 6.5) J = 6.5) 2″, 6″ 7.50 (2H, d, 7.50 (2H, d, 7.50 (2H, d, 7.07 (2H, d, 6.96 (2H, d, J = 9.0) J = 9.0) J = 9.0) J = 8.5) J = 9.0) 3″, 5″ 7.02 (2H, d, 6.95 (2H, d, 6.98 (2H, d, 6.87 (2H, d, 6.84 (2H, d, J = 9.0) J = 9.0) J = 9.0) J = 8.5) J = 9.0) 1′″ 4.57 (2H, d, 4.56 (2H, d, 4.55 (2H, d, 4.47 (2H, d, 4.47 (2H, d, J = 6.6) J = 6.5) J = 6.9) J = 6.5) J = 6.5) 2′″ 5.50 (1H, 5.50 (1H, 5.49 (1H, 5.47 (1H, brt, 5.47 (1H, brt, brt, J = 6.6) brt, J = 6.5) brt, J = 6.9) J = 6.5) J = 6.5) 4′″ 1.81 (3H, s) 1.81 (3H, s) 1.81 (3H, s) 1.79 (3H, s) 1.79 (3H, s) 5′″ 1.76 (3H, s) 1.76 (3H, s) 1.76 (3H, s) 1.73 (3H, s) 1.73 (3H, s)

TABLE 2 ¹³C-NMR Spectral Data for Compound 1-5 (δ ppm) (125 MHz, CDCl₃) C 1 2 3 4 5 2 166.4 (s) 171.7 (s) 168.8 (s) 174.8 (s) 175.1 (s) 3 139.8 (s) 138.8 (s)^(a)) 135.9 (s)^(a))  44.6 (d)  40.3 (d) 4 140.2 (s) 139.2 (s)^(a)) 136.0 (s)^(a))  49.8 (d)  47.5 (d) 5 165.4 (s) 171.1 (s) 168.1 (s) 173.2 (s) 173.6 (s) 1′  33.6 (t)  32.8 (t)  33.2 (t)  40.4 (t)  35.3 (t) 2′  27.9 (d)  28.1 (d)  28.4 (d)  25.3 (d)  25.2 (d) 3′  22.7 (q)  22.7 (q)  23.0 (q)  21.3 (q)  21.8 (q) 4′  23.0 (q)  22.4 (q) 1″ 119.9 (s) 121.2 (s) 120.8 (s) 127.9 (s) 125.1 (s) 2″, 6″ 131.1 (d) 130.9 (d) 131.0 (d) 128.8 (d) 130.2 (d) 3″, 5″ 115.1 (d) 114.9 (d) 115.0 (d) 115.4 (d) 115.0 (d) 4″ 160.9 (s) 160.1 (s) 160.2 (s) 158.7 (s) 158.7 (s) 1′″  65.0 (t)  64.9 (t)  65.1 (t)  64.1 (t)  64.8 (t) 2′″ 118.7 (d) 119.3 (d) 119.2 (d) 119.4 (d) 119.3 (d) 3′″ 139.1 (s) 138.6 (s)^(a)) 138.9 (s) 138.3 (s) 138.4 (s) 4′″  25.2 (q)  25.8 (q)  26.1 (q)  25.8 (q)  25.8 (q) 5′″  18.2 (q)  18.2 (q)  18.5 (q)  18.1 (q)  18.2 (q) ^(a))Assignments may be interchangeable.

The structures of the new compounds were determined as follows: Compound 2 gave yellow needles, mp 110-111° C., and the molecular formula C₁₉H₂₃NO₃ was assigned by HR-EIMS. The IR spectrum showed an imide carbonyl absorption at 1724 cm⁻¹. The ¹³C-NMR spectrum showed signals of four methyl carbons, two methylene carbons, and one methine carbon in the aliphatic region, as well as one benzene ring, one olefinic group and two carbonyl carbons. The ¹H-NMR spectrum showed the presence of an isobutyl moiety at δ 0.90, 2.06, and 2.51, a 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy moiety at δ 1.76, 1.81, 4.56, and 5.50, and a para-substituted benzene moiety at δ 6.95 and 7.50, which was further supported by ¹H-¹H COSY (cooler synchrotron) and HMQC (heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence) experiments. Long range correlations were observed by HMBC as shown in FIG. 1. On the basis of the molecular formula and the ¹³C-NMR spectrum, this compound was deduced to contain further CHNO atoms, including one more carbonyl carbon. Thus, this ambiguous part was speculated to be a maleimide group. This structure was then established to be 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione by X-ray analysis.

The molecular formula of compound 1 was assigned as C₁₉H₂₂O₄ by HR-EIMS. The IR spectrum revealed a carbonyl absorption of acid anhydride at 1763 cm⁻¹. The ¹H-NMR spectrum of compound 1 was similar to that of compound 2, and showed the presence of an isobutyl moiety, a 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy moiety, and a para-substituted benzene ring. From the HMBC spectrum, compound 1 was demonstrated to have the same partial structure to compound 2 (FIG. 1), in which the presence of a maleic anhydride group was deduced on the basis of the molecular formula compound 1 was consequently determined as 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]furan-2,5-dione.

The molecular formula of compound 3 was assigned as C₁₉H₂₃NO₄ by HR-EIMS. The IR spectrum showed a carbonyl absorption at 1717 cm⁻¹, assignable to a hydroxy imide. The ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra were also similar to those of compounds 1 and 2, and showed the presence of an isobutyl moiety, a 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy moiety, and a para-substituted benzene ring. In the HMBC experiment, compound 3 was shown to have the same partial structure as compound 2 (FIG. 1). Compound 3 contains one more oxygen atom than compound 2, therefore, this compound was determined to be (3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl-1H-pyrrol-1-ol-2,5-dione.

Compounds 4 and 5 had the same R_(f) values and the same molecular formula by HR-EIMS (C₁₉H₂₅NO₄, found 331.1747 and 331.1766, respectively), however, they could be separated by preparative HPLC. The IR spectrum of both compounds showed a hydroxy imide carbonyl absorption at 1715 cm⁻¹. In the ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra, both compounds showed the presence of an isobutyl moiety, a 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy moiety, and a para-substituted benzene ring, but the isobutyl methylene protons displayed a multiplet and not a doublet as for compounds 1-3. The ¹H-¹H COSY spectrum indicated that this methylene group is attached to a —CH—CH— unit. The ¹³C-NMR spectra of compounds 4 and 5 exhibited two additional sp³ carbon signals, replacing two sp² carbon signals observed for compounds 1-3. Therefore, compounds 4 and 5 were not N-hydroxy maleimides, but rather N-hydroxy succinimides, with stereocenters at positions C-3 and C-4 in the succinimide ring.

Compounds 4 and 5 were determined to be trans and cis isomers, respectively, from the coupling constant between H-3 and H-4 (4.0 and 8.0 Hz for compounds 4 and 5, respectively). No NOE was observed between H-3 and H-4 in the NOESY (Nuclear Overhauser Effect Spectroscopy) spectrum of compound 4, while appreciable NOE was observed in that of compound 5. The optical rotations of compounds 4 and 5 showed +2.5° and +3.0°, respectively, while their CD spectra showed no Cotton effects at any wave length, suggesting that both compounds 4 and 5 are racemic mixtures. Resolution of these racemic mixtures by HPLC using a chiral column with several solvent systems was unsuccessful. At present, we cannot definitely conclude whether these compounds are optically active compounds or racemic mixtures. Thus, their relative structures were determined as 3R*,4S*- and 3R,4R*-1-hydroxy-3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, respectively.

Isolation of these type of maleic and succinic acid derivatives from nature were second time followed by the report of Aquveque et al.

The cytotoxic activity of the chloroform extract and isolated compounds were investigated using LLC (Lewis lung carcinoma) cell line (TABLE 3). The chloroform extract showed moderate cytotoxic effects with an ED₅₀ value of 26.7 μg/ml. Maleic compounds 1 and 4 had no cytotoxic activity, whereas compounds 2 and 3 were found to be cytotoxic to the LLC cell line with ED₅₀ values lower than that of the chloroform extract.

TABLE 3 50% Growth Inhibition (ED₅₀) Values of the CHCl₃ Extract and Compounds 1-4 from the mycelia of Antrodia camphorata against LLC Cell Line ED₅₀ (μg/ml) CHCl₃ extract 26.7 1 >20 2 3.6 3 7.5 4 >10 Adriamycin^(a)) 0.14 ^(a))Positive control. Tumor Assay of ACM (Antrodia camphorata Mycelia Powder) A. Cell Line

-   -   Adherent Cell         -   MCF-7: human breast carcinoma         -   HT-29: human colon adenocarcinoma         -   KATO III: human stomach carcinoma         -   SW480: human colon adenocarcinoma         -   SW620: human colon adenocarcinoma         -   HepG2: human liver carcinoma     -   Suspension Cell         -   EL4: mice lymphoma             B. Samples     -   Compound 1, Compound 3, ACM EtOH Extract, ACM H₂O Extract         C. Assay Method

-   Calculate ED₅₀ (50% inhibition of effective dose)

-   Adherent cell: MTT (methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium) method for MCF-7,     HT-29, KATO III, SW480, HepG2, cells are determined at 3 days. SW620     at 4 days

-   Suspension cell: Cell count method; EL4 cells count at 5 days     D. Result     Calculation: y=m Ln(x)+b

Example

X Y 0 0.97 10 ppm 0.941 30 ppm 0.6 100 ppm  0.331

Use value of X (10, 30, 50 ppm) and Y to get correlation curve y=−0.2643 Ln(x)+1.5321 ED ₅₀=exp[0.97/2−1.5321/(−0.2643)] Sample Preparation and Sample Description A. ACM (Antrodia Camphorata Mycelia Powder) H₂O Extract 1. Add 1 g of ACM into 40 ml of RO H₂O in a 250 ml beaker, put the beaker in ultrasonic water bath for 20 min at room temperature 2. Stir at 45° C. water bath for 45 min 3. Place the beaker in ultrasonic water bath for another 20 min 4. Centrifuge the sample at 3000 rpm for 15 min 5. Collect supernatant and perform serial dilutions with media B. Determination of Sample Concentration 1. Weigh an evaporating dish (W1) 2. Add 10 ml of H₂O extract sample in the evaporating dish 3. Place the evaporating dish in the oven to remove water (W2) Sample weight/ml=(W2−W1)/10 C. ACM (Antrodia Camphorata Mycelia Powder) EtOH Extract 1. Add 100 ml of 95% alcohol to 20 g ACM in a 500 ml beaker and stir for 10 min at room temperature 2. Filter the suspension through Advantec Number 1 filter paper, and collect the filtrate 3. Concentrate the filtrate by rotary vacuum evaporator to remove alcohol. D. Compound 1: Pure compound from ACM E. Compound 3: Pure compound from ACM MTT Assay Method 1. Discard old media after cell proliferation, then wash cells once with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) once 2. Wash down the cells with trypsin-EDTA 3. Centrifuge at 1200 rpm for 5 min, then discard supernatant 4. Suspend the pellet with 10 ml medium 5. Mix 100 μl cell suspension with 100 μl trypan blue to calculate viable cells 6. Add 1×10⁴ cells/100 μl medium in each well of the 96 well plate, incubate the plate in CO₂ incubator at 37° C. for 24 hrs 7. Discard old medium, wash cells once with PBS 8. Add 100 μl sample in each well, incubate the plate in CO₂ incubator at 37° C. 9. Wash cells once with PBS at 3rd, 4th and 5th days, 10. Add 57 μl MTT (0.88 mg/ml) in each well 11. After 4 hrs discard MTT and wash cells with PBS once 12. Add 50 μl DMSO/Well 13. Read at OD545 on Elisa reader Cell Count Method (EL4 Cell Line) 1. Discard old media after cell proliferation by centrifugation 2. Resuspend the pellet with fresh medium 3. Mix 100 μl cell suspension with 100 μl trypan blue to calculate viable cells 4. Prepare different concentration of samples that contain 1×10⁵ cell/ml sample 5. Load 100 μl sample in each well of the 96 well plate, incubate the plate at 37° C. CO₂ incubator 6. Calculate viable cells at 3rd, 4th and 5th days PBS

NaCl   8 g KCl 0.2 g Na₂HPO₄ 1.4 g KH₂PO₄ 0.2 g Make volume to 1 L PH 7.4 Result and Discussion

ED₅₀ of ACM on Cell Lines

KATO Cell line HepG2 HT-29 III EL4 SW480 SW620 MCF-7 Compound 1 21 ppm 52 ppm 38 ppm 3.5 ppm 15 ppm 6 ppm Compound 3 35 ppm 42 ppm 69 ppm 2.6 ppm 20 ppm 27 ppm 0.02 ppm ACM EtOH 32 ppm 52 ppm 156 ppm 2.6 ppm 71 ppm 4 ppm Extract ACM H₂O 295 ppm 707 ppm 20 ppm 207 ppm 132 ppm 318 ppm Extract Detailed Test Results as Follows: Compound 3 of the invention: HepG2 (FIG. 4A), EL4 (FIG. 4B), HT-29 (FIG. 4C) and Kato III (FIG. 4D). ACM H₂O Extract: HepG2 (FIG. 5A), SW620 (FIG. 5B) and EL4 (FIG. 5C). ACM EtOH Extract: HT-29 (FIG. 6A), SW480 (FIG. 6B), SW620 (FIG. 6C), EL4 (FIG. 6D), HepG2 (FIG. 6E) and Kato III (FIG. 6F).

Compound 1 of the invention: MCF-7 (FIG. 7A), EL4 (FIG. 7B), HT-29 (FIG. 7C), SW620 (FIG. 7D) and HepG2 (FIG. 7E). Given the above, it demonstrates that the compounds and ACM Extract of the invention have inhibition effect on various types of tumor cells.

Analysis of all New Compounds (1, 2 and 3) from ACM EtOH Extract by High Performance of Liquid Chromatography Method

Purpose: In order to measure the amount of all new compounds (1, 2 and 3) from ACM EtOH Extract, High Performance of Liquid Chromatography was employed as our routine quality control procedures.

Preparation for ACM EtOH Extract Sample:

1) By using digital balance precisely weight 20,000 (g) of sample powders in a graduated media lab bottle with 100 mL of 95% alcohol, and do not screw the lid tightly on.

2) Place above step of the sample bottle in ultrasonic water bath 10 minutes.

3) Pour liquid samples to centrifuge tubes, and then place those samples in a centrifuge remove crude particle, under condition of 6500 rpm/5 minutes.

4) Filter liquid layer with filter paper, No. 1.

5) Concentrate filtering solution by rotary vacuum evaporator until appear a thick, yellowish liquid, alcohol free.

6) Repeat three times of step 1 to 5, and then collect all extract product (total ACM EtOH Extract=4.60 g). Calculate yield.

Application By Water HPLC, Model 2690:

1) Column: Reverse Phase C18

2) Mobile Phase: MeOH, H₂O, acetonitrile

3) Injection vol: 20 μL

4) Detection: Photodiode Array Detector 996 on wavelength 254 nm

5) Preparation 1,000 (g) ACM EtOH Extract sample in 10 mL of alcohol for HPLC analysis*:

Results: according to HPLC analysis, the extract product contains pure compound 1, 2, and 3 was showed in following TABLE 4

TABLE 4 Standard Name Compound 1 Compound 2 Compound 3 For ingredients of three standard compounds: weight 0.0100 (g) in 1 mL of alcohol Concentration 0.01 0.01 0.01 (g/mL) Peak Area 49,315,783 129,327,136 136,255,406 Retention time 134.8 124.3 119.8 (min) *For ACM EtOH Extract sample: weight 1.000 (g) in 10 mL of alcohol Concentration 8.59 × 10⁻³ 5.59 × 10⁻⁴ 1.659 × 10⁻² (g/mL) Peak Area 42,374,766 7,226,937 226,102,223 Percentage yield % 8.59 0.559 16.59 (w/w)

Therefore, the total weight of compounds 1, 2 and 3 is 5.92% by weight in ACM sample.

Tests for ACM-EtOH Extract

Materials and Equipment

Test Substances and Dosing Pattern

Test substance was administered orally at an initial dose of 1000 mg/kg for all in vivo assays in a vehicle of 2% Tween 80. Time of observation for each assay was described in methods.

Animals

Male or female ICR mice, Wistar-Okamoto derived male spontaneously hypotensive rat (SHR), Wistar and Long Evans derived rats provided by MDS Pharma Services Taiwan Ltd. were used. Space allocation for animals was as follows: 29×18×13 cm for 10 mice, 45×23×21 cm for 6 rats, and 45×23×21 cm for 3 guinea pigs. Mice and rats were housed in APEC^(R) cages. The immunocompetent C57BL/6J male mice, 6-8 weeks age, weighing 21±2 gm were also used in this study and provided by National Taiwan University Animal Center. The animals were housed in Individually Ventilated Cages Racks (IVC racks, 36 Mini Isolator System). Each cage was sterilized by autoclave and contained 5 mice (in 26.7×20.7×14 cm). All animal were maintained in a controlled temperature (21-23° C.) and humidity (60%-70%) environment with 12 hour light dark cycles for at least one week in the laboratory prior to use. Free access to standard lab chow (LabDiet Rodent Diet and Guinea Pig Diet, PMI Nutrition International, USA) and tap water was granted.

Cell Line and Culture Media

The murine melanoma cell line, B16-F0 (ATCC CRL-6322), was purchased from American Type Culture Collection and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (GIBCO, USA) was used as culture medium. The tumor cells were incubated in an atmosphere containing 5% CO₂ at 37° C.

Chemicals

General: Distilled Water (In-house), Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO, Merck, Germany), Isotonic Sodium Chloride Solution (Sintong Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., R.O.C.), magnesium Sulfate (MgSO₄.7H₂O, Wako, Japan), Meclofenamate Sodium (Sigma, USA), Methylcellulose (Signa, USA), Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH, Wako, Japan), Phosphate Buffered Saline (Sigma, USA) and Tween 80 (Wako, Japan).

Reagents

Glicose-HA assay kit (Wako, Japan), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) assay kit (Wako, Japan), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) assay kit (Wako, Japan), T-Cholesterol-HA and HDL assay kit (Wako, Japan), Hemolynac 3 Hemolys (Nihon Koden, Japan), Isotonic 3 Diluent (Nihon Koden, Japan).

Equipment

General Use: Animal Case (ShinTeh, R.O.C.), Beaker 250 ml and 1000 ml (Kinmax, USA), disposable syringe (1 ml, Top Corporation, Japan), Forceps stainless (klappencker, Germany), Mouse scale #Z-40 (Taconic, USA), needle for oral administration (Natsune, Japan), Needle Hypodermic 23 G×1″ (Top Corporation, Japan), pH Meter (Suntex, USA), Rat scale 500 g±2 g (Chien-chun, ROC), syringe Glass 1 ml, 2 ml and 5 ml (Mitsuba, Japan), and Scissors Stainless (Klappencker, Germany).

Methods and Results:

Cholinergic Agonism, Central/Peripheral, Lippmann, W. and Pugsley, T. A., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. 227:324 (1977). Test substance was administered orally to a group of 3 Wistar derived male or female rats weighing 150±20 g. During the subsequent 30-60 minute period, the number of animals exhibiting more than 10 seconds of chewing behavior (mouth and/or tongue movements) measured cumulatively and the number of animals exhibiting salivation or exhibiting salivation were noted. Positive responses observed in 2 or more (2) of 3 rats indicates possible central cholinergic activity and peripheral cholinergic activity.

TABLE 5 Result of Cholinergic Agonism, Central/peripheral in Rats Central Peripheral Treatment Route Dose N Chewing Score Salivation Score Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg 1 − − 2 − − 3 − 0/3 − 0/3 ACM-EtOH Extract PO 1000 mg/kg 1 + − 2 + − 3 + (3/3) − 0/3 300 mg/kg 1 − − 2 − − 3 + 1/3 − 0/3 Arecoline-HBR IP 30 mg/kg 1 + + 2 + + 3 + (3/3) + (3/3)

Vehicle and test substances were administered orally (PO) while the positive reference compound was injected intraperitoneally (IP). During the subsequent 30-60 minute period, the number of animal exhibiting more than 10 seconds of chewing behavior (mouth and/or tongue movements) measured cumulatively or exhibiting salivation were noted. Positive responses observed in 2 or more (2) of 3 rats indicates possible cholinergic activity or peripheral cholinergic activity.

Cardiovascular, Blood Pressure and Heart rate (SHR 0, 1, 2, 4 hrs) (Yen, T. T., et al., Life Sci. 22: 359, 1978). Groups of 3 Wistar-Okamoto derived male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) weighing 250±20 g were used; the mean systolic blood pressure was 200±20 and heart rate 400±30 beats/min. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded indirectly by tail cuff method in a temperature controlled environment (32±1° C.) before (0 time) and 1, 2 and 4 hours after oral administration of test substance or vehicle. A reduction in systolic pressure by 10 percent or more (>10%), or decrease in heart rate by 20 percent or more (≧20%), at each measured time interval relative to 0 time, is considered significant.

TABLE 6 Result of Cardiovascular, Blood Pressure (SHR 0, 1, 2, 4 Hours) in Rats % Control (from 0 times) Treatment Route Dose N 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg 1 100  96 90 2 97 100  91 3 90 92 92 Ave. 96 96 91 ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg 1 78 85 71 Extract 2 86 89 80 3 89 89 89 Ave. (84) (88) (80) Clonidine PO 0.1 mg/kg 1 71 67 71 2 95 86 88 3 72 85 69 Ave. (79) (79) (76)

TABLE 7 Result of Cardiovascular, Heart Rate (SHR 0, 1, 2, 4 Hours) % Control (from 0 times) Treatment Route Dose N 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg 1 87 100 99 2 116  103 107 3 108  104 121 Ave. 104  102 109 ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg 1 98 93 95 Extract 2 81 100 88 3 83 78 92 Ave. 87 90 92 Clonidine PO 0.1 mg/kg 1 62 97 112 2 84 87 104 3 68 86 78 Ave. (71) 90 98

SHR with systolic blood pressure of 200±20 mmHg and heart rates of 400±50 Beats/min were used. Blood pressure was recorded indirectly vial tail cuff at 0 time (before) and 1, 2 and 4 hours after oral administration of vehicle or test substance. A reduction in blood pressure by 10 percent or more (10%), or decrease in heart rate by 20 percent or more (≧20%) at each measurement time point relative to 0 time, shown in parenthesis, is considered significant.

Vehicle  10 ml/kg 0 time 229 and 403 beats/minute as 100%. ACM-EtOH 1000 mg/kg 0 time 223 and 452 beats/minute as 100%. Extract Clonidine   0.1 mg/kg 0 time 228 and 379 beats/minute as 100%.

TABLE 8 Result of Cardiovascular, Blood Pressure (SHR 0, 1, 2, 4 Hours) in Rats % Control (from 0 times) Treatment Route Dose N 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg 1 94 97 97 2 88 97 94 3 94 97 103  Ave. 92 97 98 ACM-EtOH PO 300 mg/kg 1 111  102  103  Extract 2 94 84 100  3 112  110  112  Ave. 106  99 105  Clonidine PO 0.1 mg/kg 1 86 73 81 2 63 73 90 3 62 68 80 Ave. (70) (71) (85)

TABLE 9 Result of Cardiovascular, Heart Rate (SHR 0, 1, 2, 4 Hours) % Control (from 0 times) Treatment Route Dose N 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg 1 82 85 84 2 88 115 102 3 109  111 119 Ave. 93 104 102 ACM-EtOH PO 300 mg/kg 1 97 96 92 Extract 2 105  108 98 3 85 96 82 Ave. 96 100 91 Clonidine PO 0.1 mg/kg 1 77 85 102 2 78 78 100 3 62 94 104 Ave. (72) 86 102

SHR with systolic blood pressure of 200±20 mmHg and heart rates of 400±50 beats/min were used. Blood pressure was recorded indirectly vial tail cuff at 0 time (before) and 1, 2 and 4 hours after oral administration of vehicle or test substance. A reduction in blood pressure by 10 percent or more (10%), or decrease in heart rate by 20 percent or more (≧20%) at each measurement time point relative to 0 time, shown in parenthesis, is considered significant.

Vehicle  10 ml/kg 0 time 220 and 410 beats/minute as 100% ACM-EtOH 300 mg/kg 0 time 205 and 446 beats/minute as 100% Extract Clonidine  0.1 mg/kg 0 time 235 and 417 beats/minute as 100%

-   1. Schurr et al., Cholesterol, Serum (Total HDL, total/HDL, Ratio),     Diet-Induced, Atherosclerosis Drug Discovery. Plenum, N.Y., pp.     215-229, 1976)

Groups of 5 ICR derived male mice weighing 22±2 g were kept on a high fat diet (g/100 g: coconut oil, 8; cholesterol, 1.0; cholic acid, 0.3; lard 2; standard chow 88.7) for 7 days to induce hypercholesterolemia. Test substance was administered orally on days 5, 6 and 7. After fasting overnight, serum was obtained from each mouse and assayed for total cholesterol (Total), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and percent change in Total/HDL. A decrease of 20 percent or more (20%) in serum Total or increase of 20 percent or more (≧20%) in serum HDL or decrease of 40% or more (≧40%) in the Total/HDL ratio relative to vehicle treated control animals is considered significant.

TABLE 10 Result of Cholesterol, (Total/HDL, Total/HDL Ratio), Diet-Induced in Mice Total HDL Total/HDL Treatment Route Dose N Indiv. % Dce Indiv. % Dce Indiv % Dce Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg × 3 1 361 70 5.16 2 316 82 3.85 3 379 79 4.80 4 392 78 5.03 5 367 86 4.27 Ave. 363 — 79 — 4.59 — ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg × 3 1 420 117 3.95 Extract 2 327 115 2.84 3 332 104 3.19 4 363 98 3.70 5 294 117 2.51 Ave. 347  4 110 (39) 3.15 31 PO 300 mg/kg × 3 1 370 66 5.61 2 301 65 4.63 3 217 74 2.93 4 379 76 4.99 5 328 98 3.35 Ave. 319 12 76 −4 4.20  8 Benzafibrate PO 100 mg/kg × 3 1 230 91 2.53 2 214 120 1.78 3 225 133 1.69 4 231 123 1.88 5 242 97 2.49 Ave. 228 (37) 113 (43) 2.02 (56)

Vehicle, test substance or reference positive compound was administered orally (PO) on days 5, 6 and 7 after being fed a high cholesterol diet. Twenty-four hours after the third dose, the overnight-fasted test animals were sacrificed for assessing serum total cholesterol (Total) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Decrease of 20 percent or more (20%) in serum Total or increase of 20 percent or more (20%) in serum HDL or decrease of 40% or more (40%) in the Total/HDL ratio is considered significant.

-   2. Hepatic Injury, D-Galactosamine (Wrobel et al., J. Med. Chem. 41:     1084, 1998)

Groups of 5 Wistar derived male rats weighing 200±20 g were used. Each animal was treated with a single injection of D-galactosamine (500 mg/kg, IP) Test substance was administered orally at 0.5 hour before and 4 hours as well as 8 hours after D-galactosamine administration and animals were sacrificed 24 hours later. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured by an optimized UV method with HITACHI automatic analyzer (model 7050). Reduction in ALT or AST activity by 30 percent or more (30%), relative to the vehicle treated control animal indicates significant protection.

TABLE 11 Result of Hepatic Injury, Galactosamine in Rats Serum ALT (X ± Serum AST (X ± SEM) SEM) Dec. Dec. Treatment Route Dose N U/L % U/L % Vehicle PO 10 mg/kg × 3 1 816 1628 2 1044 1716 3 652 888 4 656 828 5 644 956 X 762.4 — 1203.2 — SEM 77.4 193.0 ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg × 3 1 364 516 Extract 2 376 532 3 596 672 4 452 524 5 336 356 X 424.8 (44) 520.0 (57) SEM 46.9 50.1 300 mg/kg × 3 1 460 852 2 656 880 3 640 876 4 752 1004 5 536 692 X 608.8 20 860.8 28 SEM 50.6 49.8 Guanine PO 300 mg/kg × 3 1 508 656 2 532 912 3 412 776 4 436 652 5 636 1028 (34) (33)

Test substance and vehicle were administered orally at 0.5 hour before and 4, 8 hours after a single dose of galactosamine (500 mg/kg, IP). The rats were sacrificed 24 hours after galactosamine injection and the ALT and AST values were determined A reduction of 30% in the ALT and AST relative to the vehicle group is considered significant.

-   3. Winter et al., Inflammation, Carrageenan, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol.     Med. 111:544, 1962.

A group of 3 Long Evans derived male or female overnight fasted rats weighing 150±20 g was fasted overnight prior to study. Test substance was administered orally one hour before right hind paw received injection of carrageenan (0.1 ml of 1% suspension intraplantar). Hind paw edema, as a measure of inflammation, was recorded 3 hours after carrageenan administration using a plethysmometer with water cell (25 mm diameter). Reduction of hind paw edema by 30 percent or more (30%) indicates significant acute anti-inflammatory activity.

TABLE 12 Result of Inflammation, Carrageenan in Rats Paw Volume (×0.01 ml) Treatment Route Dose N R.P. L.P. Diff % Inhibition Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg 1 194 103 91 2 202 108 94 3 199 104 95 Ave. 198 105 93 — ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg 1 146 101 45 Extract 2 147 95 52 3 160 104 56 Ave. 151 100 51 (45) Aspirin PO 150 mg/kg 1 152 102 50 2 146 102 44 3 163 106 57 Ave. 154 103 50 (46)

TABLE 13 Result of Inflammation, Carrageenan in Rats Paw Volume (×0.01 ml) Treatment Route Dose N R.P. L.P. Diff % Inhibition Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg 1 193 105 88 2 198 107 91 3 199 102 97 Ave. 197 105 92 — ACM-EtOH PO 300 mg/kg 1 195 104 91 Extract 2 187 103 84 3 196 103 93 Ave. 193 103 89  3 Aspirin PO 150 mg/kg 1 146 103 43 2 149 101 48 3 169 104 65 Ave. 155 103 52 (43)

Vehicle or test substance was administered to overnight fasted rats one hour before right hindpaw (R.P.) injection of carrageenan (0.1 ml of 1% suspension intraplantar); the left hindpaw (L.P.) was not injected. Reduction of hindpaw edema by 30 percent or more (30%), shown in parenthesis, indicates significant acute anti-inflammatory activity.

-   4. Tumor, Syngeneic, Melanoma, B16-F0 Cell (Farrugia C A and Groves     M J. Anticancer Research 19: 1027-1032, 1999)

Groups of 5 immunocompetent (6-8 weeks old), pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6J male mice bred in an animal isolator (IVC racks) under specific pathogen free (SPF) condition were used. Viable B16-F0 murine melanoma cells (ATCC CRL-6322, 1.0×10⁵ in 0.2 ml), syngeneic for C57BL/6J mice, were injected subcutaneously into dorsal side of experimental mice. Treatment begins 24 hours after tumor inoculation and test compound was administered daily by oral gavage for 21 days, or less when overt signs of toxicity are seen. The mice were monitored for body weight, tumor size and survival starting from day 1 to day 22. Moreover, the tested mice were monitored for survival till the end of the study on day 45.

Tumor weight (mg) was estimated according to the formula for a prolate ellipsoid: length (mm)×[width (mm)]²×0.5, assuming specific gravity to be one and r to be three. Tumor growth in compound treated animals was calculated as T/C (Treatment/Control)×100%; a value of T/C 42% was considered significant in demonstrating antitumor activity. The mean survival time of T/C (Treatment/Control) is 125% is also considered significant in demonstrating antitumor activity.

TABLE 14 Result of Tumor, Syngeneic, Melanoma B16-F0 Cell Tumor Weight (mg) and % T/C, Mean ± SEM Treatment Route Dose N Day 1. T/C(%) Day 8 T/C(%) Day 11 T/C(%) Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg × 21 1 0 0 60 2 0 39 298 3 0 0 49 4 0 54 541 5 0 21 117 0 100 23 ± 11 100   213 ± 93  100  ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg × 21 1 0 0 0 Extract 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 0 14 5 0 0 32 0 100 0 ± 0 0* 9 ± 6  4* Mitomycin IP 2 mg/kg × 6 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 64 3 0 0 0 4 0 0 68 5 0 0 41 0 100 0 ± 0 0* 34 ± 15 16*

TABLE 15 Result of Tumor, Syngeneic, Melanoma B16-F0 Cell Tumor Weight (mg) and % T/C, Mean ± SEM Treatment Route Dose N Day 15 T/C(%) Day 18 T/C(%) Day 22 T/C(%) Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg × 21 1 211 746 2054 2 657 1597 2870 3 216 669 1419 4 835 2455 3688 5 240 726 1682  432 ± 131 100  1239 ± 349  100  2343 ± 416 100  ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg × 21 1 49 280 913 Extract 2 62 630 1545 3 388 1079 2560 4 148 435 1514 5 229 535 1637 175 ± 62 41* 592 ± 135 48  1634 ± 265 70  Mitomycin IP 2 mg/kg × 6 1 36 256 437 2 136 849 1248 3 0 0 0 4 213 525 663 5 207 327 Died 119 ± 44 27* 391 ± 142 32*  587 ± 260 25*

Vehicle and test substance were administered to test animals every day at 24 hours after tumor cells implantation for a total of 21 doses. Concurrently, the reference compound, mitomycin, was administered IP twice a week for a total of 6 doses. Tumor size was measured and recorded twice a week for a period of 22 days. Tumor growth inhibition was calculated as T/C (treatment/control)×100. A T/C value of 42% was considered significant in demonstrating antitumor activity.

TABLE 16 Result of Tumor, Syngeneic, Melanoma B16-F0 Cell Body Weight (g), Mean ± SEM Treatment Route Dose N Day 1 Day 8 Day 11 Day 15 Day 18 Day 22 Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg × 21 1 21 20 20 21 22 25 2 22 22 21 22 26 30 3 21 21 20 20 22 21 4 21 20 20 20 21 24 5 22 21 20 19 20 23 21.4 ± 0.2 20.8 ± 0.4 20.2 ± 0.2 20.4 ± 0.5 22.2 ± 1.0 24.6 ± 1.5 ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg × 21 1 20 21 21 22 22 23 Extract 2 20 19 19 21 22 24 3 20 18 18 19 21 26 4 21 20 19 21 20 21 5 20 20 21 22 23 25 20.2 ± 0.2 19.6 ± 0.5 19.6 ± 0.6 21.0 ± 0.5 21.6 ± 0.5 23.8 ± 0.9 Mitomycin IP 2 mg/kg × 6 1 25 25 26 25 24 27 2 22 22 22 25 27 30 3 19 21 21 21 22 21 4 22 22 22 24 26 27 5 19 20 19 20 21 Died 21.4 ± 1.1 22.2 ± 0.8 22.0 ± 1.1 23.0 ± 1.0 24.0 ± 1.1 26.3 ± 1.9

Vehicle and test substance were administered to test animals every day at 24 hours after tumor cells implantation for a total of 21 doses. Concurrently, the reference compound, mitomycin, was administered IP twice a week for a total of 6 doses. Tumor size was measured and recorded twice a week for a period of 22 days. The Student's t test was used to determine the significant difference in the change of body weight between test compound and vehicle control group.

TABLE 17 Result of Tumor, Syngeneic, Melanoma B16-F0 Cell Survival Time (day), Mean ± SEM Days of Post- Treatment Route Dose N treatment T/C (%) Vehicle PO 10 ml/kg × 1 23 21 2 28 3 30 4 28 5 27 27.2 ± 1.2 100  ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg × 1 44 Extract 21 2 31 3 25 4 42 5 32 34.8 ± 3.6 128* Mitomycin IP 2 mg/kg × 6 1  45^(a) 2 28 3  45^(a) 4 30 5 22 34.0 ± 4.7 125* ^(a)The animal did not die through day 45 and the survival day was served as 45 days. The treated mice were monitored for survival through the end of the study on day 45 or the day when test animal died. The mean survival time of T/C (Treatment/Control) 125% is also considered significant in demonstrating anti-tumor activity. Discussion:

ACM-EtOH Extract, administered orally (PO), in accordance with in-house established criteria, caused significant activities in the following mouse and rat assays:

Central cholinergic agonism at 1000 mg/kg in rats; a minimum and non-significant agonism was seen a 300 mg/kg; no significant agonism or antagonism on peripheral cholinergic nerve was seen at 1000 mg/kg (TABLE 5)

Decrease in systolic blood pressure (16%, 12% and 20% at respective 1, 2 and 4 hours observation time points vs. 100% with 0 time) and associated moderate but non-significant decrease in heart rate at 1000 mg/kg in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats (TABLES 6 and 7); dose of 300 mg/kg did not cause significant changes in systolic blood pressure nor the heart rate (TABLES 8 and 9)

Increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL, 39% over vehicle control) at 1000 mg/kg in diet-induced mice (TABLE 10); the associate total cholesterol (Total) did not change significantly, while the HDL/total ratio was decreased to near significant 31%; dose of 300 mg/kg did not cause significant changes in Total, HDL and HDL/Total ratio (TABLE 10).

Hepatoprotection (44% decrease in ALT and 57% decrease in AST vs. vehicle control) from galactosamine induced hepatic injury in rats at 1000 mg/kg×3; moderate decrease of 20% in ALT and of 28% in AST at 300 mg/kg×3 was seen (TABLE 11).

Anti-inflammation (45% inhibition vs. vehicle control) versus carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats at 1000 mg/kg (TABLE 12); the lower level of 300 mg/kg did not demonstrate significant activity (3% inhibition vs. vehicle, TABLE 13).

Anti-tumor activity in syngeneic melanoma B16-F0 cell for C57BL/6J mice on day 8, 11 and 15 (TABLES 14 and 15) as well as prolongation in animal survival time at 1000 mg/kg (TABLE 17); animal body weight did not change significantly (TABLE 16).

Tests for ACM, ACM-ETOH Extract and Compound 3 of the Invention

Nine groups of ICR derived male mice (weighing 22±2 g) of 5 each were used. Each animals was challenged with a single dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄, 0.1 ml/kg in 50% olive oil, PO). The test substance of ACM at doses 300 and 1000 mg/kg or compound 3 of the invention at doses 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg were administered orally at 30 minutes before and 4, 8 hours after CCl₄ challenge; whereas ACM-ETOH Extract at 300 and 1000 mg/kg administered orally was pretreated one day (twice a day) and 30 minutes before and 4, 8 hours after carbon tetrachloride. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after CCl₄. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured by optimized UV method using a HITACHI automatic analyzer (model 7050). A reduction of ALT or AST levels by 30 percent or greater (30%), relative to the vehicle group, indicating significant protection from hepatic injury.

Results

TABLE 18 Assay Hepatic Injury, Carbon Tetrachloride, in Mice ALT AST Treatment Route Dose N U/L Dec. % U/L Dec. % Vehicle (2% PO 10 ml/kg × 3 1 3936 2056 Tween 80) 2 3456 1856 3 3712 1528 4 2560 1328 5 2968 1696 X 3326  0 1693  0 SEM 250 126 ACM PO 1000 mg/kg × 3 1 1440 888 2 2720 1520 3 2272 1328 4 1272 792 5 1320 880 X 180.5 (46) 1082 (36) SEM 292 144 300 mg/kg × 3 1 2336 1256 2 1552 1072 3 3720 1512 4 3816 2336 5 3952 2792 X 3075  8 1794 −6 SEM 480 330 ACM-EtOH PO 1000 mg/kg × 5 1 1936 1232 Extract 2 1528 768 3 1896 1136 4 2752 1656 5 2472 1592 X 2117 (36) 1277 25 SEM 219 162 300 mg/kg × 5 1 1656 976 2 3536 1712 3 2328 1808 4 1736 1416 5 1792 888 X 2210 (34) 1360 20 SEM 352 187 Compound 3 PO 300 mg/kg × 3 1 1368 776 2 1576 896 3 1440 896 4 2728 1352 5 2720 1728 X 1966 (41) 1130 (33) SEM 311 179 100 mg/kg × 3 1 3200 2256 2 4576 2976 3 2512 1536 4 2728 1552 5 3696 1600 X 3342  0 1984 −17  SEM 370 282 30 mg/kg × 3 1 4296 2136 2 3696 2288 3 2152 1096 4 2400 1792 5 4256 2496 X 3360 −1 1962 −16  SEM 457 245 Silymarin PO 100 mg/kg × 3 1 2856 1296 2 1832 1152 3 1296 952 4 2792 1072 5 2728 1336 X 2301 (31) 1162 (31) SEM 3136 71 Discussion

ACM, ACM-EtOH Extract and compound 3 of the invention were evaluated for possible protective activity from hepatic injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in ICR mice. The test substance of ACM at doses 300 and 1000 mg/kg and compound 3 of the invention at doses 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg were administered orally to test animals 0.5 hour before and 4, 8 hours after CCl₄ challenge. For ACM-EtOH Extract at 300 and 1000 mg/kg, 2 times (b.i.d.) of treatment (9:00 AM and 16:00 PM) were done 1 day before CCl₄ and followed 0.5 hr before and 4, 8 hours after CCl₄ challenge (5 dosing in total). The degree of hepatic injury was determined by increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels relative to the vehicle treated animals. ACM at 1000 mg/kg×3 and compound 3 of the invention at 300 mg/kg×3 caused a significant reduction of ALT (46% and 41%) and AST (36% and 33%) relative to the vehicle treated animals. Simultaneously, ACM-EtOH Extract at 300 and 1000 mg/kg×5 also caused significant reduction in ALT (36% and 34%) and AST (25% and 20%).

Concurrently tested silymarin (100 mg/kg×3, IP) showed significantly reduction of ALT (31%) and AST (31%) relative to the vehicle treated group. It is concluded that ACM, ACM-EtOH Extract and compound 3 of the invention possess the ability of significant hepatoprotectant activity in a mouse CCl₄ model.

While the invention has been described and exemplified in sufficient detail for those skilled in this art to make and use it, various alternatives, modifications, and improvements should be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

One skilled in the art readily appreciates that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The cell lines, embryos, animals, and processes and methods for producing them are representative of preferred embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Modifications therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. These modifications are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the claims.

It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, which are not specifically disclosed herein. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Other embodiments are set forth within the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound having the formula

wherein R₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyloxy, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyloxy, or C₂₋₁₀ alkynyloxy; and R₂ is H, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl or C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, provided that if R₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyloxy, R₂ is not H, and if R₁ is C₁ alkyloxy, R₂ is not C₁ alkyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₁ is C₂₋₆ alkenyloxy or C₂₋₆ alkynyloxy.
 3. The compound of claim 2, wherein C₂₋₆ alkenyloxy is substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₂ is isobutyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1, which is 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]furan-2,5-dione. 